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SimplyJenW drank Natural Bergamot Earl Grey (TE18) by Upton Tea Imports

985 tasting notes

Tea of the afternoon…. (SRP #11)

My cello lesson was cancelled for today, so I had an extra half hour to burn! I really wanted Earl Grey Supreme from Harney, but I remembered that I have a few Earl Greys in my sample stash. I still have a few from LiberTEAS, but I settled on this one since it has been in my stash since last September. I think what happened is that I love Earl Grey in warmer months and can’t get enough of it then. In the colder months, I am more of a chai and spicey flavored tea drinker.

Well, I wish I could say I was taken by this tea. It is good enough. Just not something that will work for me. This is a very sweet version of bergamot, but it lacks the brightness of Lord Bergamot from Steven Smith or Earl Grey from Lupicia. And it does not have the fabulous tea base to carry it with a lighter bergamot taste like my beloved Earl Grey Supreme. It finally came to me that it is more like a candy version of what I would expect Earl Grey to taste like. I did experience that with Upton’s Earl Grey Creme when I tasted it relative to others…..Upton’s Earl Grey Creme is kind of more like Creamsicle tea to me. Ah. Definitely not a wasted taste test, but I think I am going to brew up something better. Time for sachet 2 of 15 from my Lord Bergamot box…..

Usual teapot method.

PS. The cello lessons are going well. My greatest piece of advice, you are never too old to do something big.

Preparation

Boiling 4 min, 0 sec

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2 comments

Bonnie
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I agree! You should be proud of yourself!

Dylan Oxford
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The cello is an amazing instrument. Enjoy yourself!

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Bonnie
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I agree! You should be proud of yourself!

Dylan Oxford
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The cello is an amazing instrument. Enjoy yourself!

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Bio

My motto: Drink the good tea!

Tea enthusiast, trying to keep up my cardio for the zombie apocalypse. I have come to accept that I am a western brewing black tea drinker as that is where my ‘tea heart’ lies. I started on loose leaf as a way to have my dessert and not suffer the caloric issues. Once I tried it, I was hooked.

I drink what I like, which is mostly China blacks, a few traditionally scented blacks and Earl Greys, plus a flavored tea here and there. I don’t mind spending a bit on premium varieties on occasion, but an expensive tea has to deliver. My favorite places to order are Harney & Sons and Upton Tea Imports. TeaVivre is great for Chinese tea.

My ratings are pretty subjective. If it falls under 70, I may not take the time to post about it unless I had something specific to say. If it is 70-80 I like it, but I will probably not rebuy. Favorites are over 80 and up, but sometimes the less expensive or more easily obtainable version of a similar taste will win out for my cupboard space.

Usual teapot steeping method: 24 oz teapot, 3 perfect scoops of tea (4 1/2 actual tsp), freshly boiled water, 4 minutes. Lightly sweetened.

Usual mug steeping method: 15 oz mug, 1.5 perfect scoops of tea (just over 2 actual tsp), freshly boiled water, 4 minutes. Lightly sweetened.

Usual pan method: 1 1/2 cups water, 2 perfect tsp chai (3 actual tsp). Simmer for 3 minutes. Add 2/3 cup skim milk. Simmer for 2 more minutes. Strain and sweeten.

Usual pitcher method:
5 or 6 Perfect Spoons of tea (this means about 7-9 actual tsp), freshly boiled water, brewed essentially double-strong in my 24 oz teapot for 4 minutes. Fill my Fiestaware Disc pitcher (about 60 oz.) halfway with ice. Add brewed double-strong tea to the pitcher. Stir it a little and enjoy. No additions.

(*SRP is my Sample/Stash Reduction Plan starting on April 12, 2012. I got so far, but just decided it was too fussy to keep track.)